Why and How To Pack towels and swimsuits for possible swimming

I like to have a swimsuit with me on holiday, even if I am not expecting to go swimming. You might stop for lunch at a hotel with a pool. In Cyprus we went on a morning walk up to see a waterfall. 

At the top was a flat area where a girl who lived locally donned a swimsuit and waded forward and stood under the cold showing waterfall. They had travelled by car, so no problem with transporting a towel. 

Several people wanted to be photographed in the pool. I don't stand in running water in case of currents. However, many people like to do so.

On day trips to the beach, i sometimes try to pack a thin towel of the sort which is quick dry, just to dry my feet when paddling in the sea, or getting wet feet from unexpected waves on the beach.

I have also looked into adding velcro to turn a thin towel into a wrap around skirt or strapless dress. A towel dress with shoulder straps is more secure. I have also made a swimming pool throw-over by cutting a slit in the middle of an old, thin towel. You can buy towelling dresses.

I pack with my swimsuit and night dress in a handy place on top of my suitcase. On arrival at a hotel I ask what time the pool closes. I might want to rush to the pool before evening dinner.

 When I was a teenager in the late 1960s, I went on a holiday with a fellow student to Greece, Turkey and Israel. I travelled in a bikini. It acted as bra and pants. I showered in it. I swam in it. No need to undress.

After the swim, we would sit in the sun. The bikini was cotton and dried quickly. 

In countries requiring a one piece costume, you need another solution.

Kaledonia Waterfalls, Cyprus.

 1The solution is to have a large towel which somebody else, family or friend, can hold.

2 If you are alone, you could change behind a large umbrella.

3A wrap around skirt is another solution.

4 Or a wrap around dress.

5 Or a sarong.

Please share links to your favourite posts.

DIY Summer swimsuits and dresses for travel - make or re-make a matching swimsuit, hat, sarong and bag

I shall tell you about how to make and re-make one-piece and two-piece swimsuits. The bandeau bikini dates back to Roman times. It is the easiest to sew. No straps needed.
The bikini bottom can also tie at the side which reduces sewing seams.

I have several swimsuits from previous years which are too small, lost their elasticity, or are too revealing. I have watched several videos on making swimsuits and learned some interesting tips.
1 Bra Template
You can use a sports bra as a template for a top. You could even re-use it as all or part of a two-piece bikini or one-piece swimsuit.
A simple bikini tie-on is the triangular design with a threaded ribbon around under the bra's breasts and tied at the back. 
For the shoulders, two spaghetti straps are sewn onto the bikini at the top and tied behind the neck

2 Add Cleavage
To add cleavage, turn a bandana or strip bra shape into a bra or swimsuit or dress top with cleavage, simple sew a strip of ribbon of matching material vertically around the mid point between the bust.
3 Remove Cleavage
Cut off the retaining piece between the busts. You might end up with a very flat piece. Consider adding swimsuit supports?
Where do you find them? In American you can buy bra or swimsuit bust supports. Or buy a cheap bra containing supports.
Recycling Swimsuit parts
What can you rescue from old swimsuits?
1) Removable straps with the clips on the strap and the swimsuit.
2) The back clasp.
3) A piece of fabric to spiral into a decorative rose.
4) A strip of fabric to expand a costume or join the two bikini halves to make a one-piece. Not enough fabric? Sew ribbons of fabric to create a ladder effect.
5) The old bikini bottoms as lining so your swimsuit is not see-through and gives more support. The old bikini bottoms to create a properly shaped and seamed gusset linking two triangles.
6) Either cut out the good bits of fabric. Or cut out the bad bits of fabric. (In London, England, you can get money back from bags of fabric by weight, and the bag of fabric can include torn and stained fabric, which is sent for recycling.)
7) Before you throw away that old swimsuit, see if it has removable pads. What about shoulder pads from old garments?
4 Cutting
Cut fabric with a rolling cutter (technical term rotary cutter).  Cut on a large specialised soft cutting board - which folds for storage) . This saves the fabric from jagged or zig zag lines when cutting with scissors. (I used extra large wallpaper scissors, which are no dearer than small scissors, but still risk getting points left behind.)

5 Non-run Cotton Fabric
Whilst you could use a tee-shirt to add sleeves, or cotton fabric for the swimsuit, be careful not to use fabrics whose colours run.
6 Stretch Fabric
Stretch fabric can give your bust and tummy and bottom support. Or line your swimsuit with a second layer. Or buy a cheap support garment.
7 Reversible
To give the swimsuit shape or prevent it being see-through, add a lining fabric. Sew both inside out. If you use the same stretch fabric in different colours, you can make a reversible swimsuit, which is good for packing light on holiday.
8 Stretch Fabric and Stitch
Buy stretch fabric. Stitch with a zig zag stitch.

9 No-sew
You can avoid sewing these ways:
Make a sarong which ties around the neck.
Use a scarf clip which has two holes, like a buckle without the prong.
Buy a set so if you lose one you still have others. You can also match up colours.

Fasten hems with fabric glue. These can set us fast as ten minutes, as slow as overnight.
10 Re-use Small Swimsuits
Take a two small swimsuit and umpick the side. Insert ribbons of black stretch fabric horizontally up both sides under the arms.
Take two suits and sew them back to back, with strips of fabric from the spare pieces down each side.
11 Spare Fabric
Make a matching swimming cap.
Sew a strip onto a plain white or black baseball cap or large brim hat to make a matching set.
Sew a strip, or curl a strip spiralled into a rose, to sew on a plain black or white or co-ordinating colour towelling or plastic tote bag.
Useful Websites
You can sign up for several video websites on Youtube. I found some cute young girls in the USA who had understandable accents. They tended to make short skirts and revealing tops.
I am trying to do the reverse. In Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia I need cover ups. Why?
a) In Singapore the fashion is for one piece. The sun is too hot and you want to look pale and interesting and avoid getting sunburned.
b) In Australia and Singapore the warning posters in hospital A and E departments and magazine articles show you skin cancer and warn you to cover up.
c) In Malaysia many beaches and swimming pools in hotels warn foreigners that one piece costumes are required for 'modesty'. When all the locals (girls and women) are wearing cover up costumes and the men stare at you, you soon wish you had something less revealing.
Shopping List (alphabetical)
Fabric Glue
Rotary Cutter
Seam Ripper

Seam ripper

If you don't have a matching skirt or sarong, take a small piece from your leftover fabric and add a waistband or pocket or rose or a couple of small diamond patched to match the swimsuit.
Lastly, Towelling Wraps
Turn an old towel into a miniskirt or a towelling poncho. You just need a diamond shape for the head. Sew the edges securely. The smartest way would be to cover with a binding. But over-sewing works well.
The extra diamond shape can be used for a pocket. Or to trim a baseball cap.
When it's sunny, you don't want waste time indoors sewing. But when the weather is overcast or rainy, that is a good time to get out your old swimsuit, beachwear and make something new.
Happy days!

Useful websites
This site suggests using your old costume jewellery as handles.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/02/style/dish-towel-tote-bag.html
http://livingwithbeth.com/10-things-make-old-towels-will-blow-mind/

About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, British, living in the UK, also Singapore Resident, lived in the UK, USA and Singapore.
You can link to me on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Join me at a meeting of Toastmasters International speakers clubs, such as Braddell Heights Advanced.
Please share links to your favourite posts.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer. Please see my other blogs and share links with your friends

travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com

dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com

Recycling Plastic and Paper Cups to Protect Yogurt and Donuts In Transit

Problems
You have used paper cups which get squashed in transit.
You want to use them again after they are hardly used or not used.
Your yoghurt is in danger of spilling.
Your croissant or sandwich is in danger of leaving grease on your diary and paperwork in your bag.

Answer
A plastic or paper cup (or two or three) makes a great protective container for yoghurt. You can also used plastic of paper mugs as containers for biscuits, muffins, doughnuts, or cakes.

Story
One year I was delayed boarding a plane at Heathrow. We were given vouchers for food and drinks. I bought a strawberry yoghurt and other foods.  The plane was called and I had an uneaten, unfinished, not even started yoghurt. I thought it would be okay in a duffel bag. Wrong.

Unfortunately, when the plane landed, I discovered I had strawberry yoghurt over my diary, my guidebook and my bikini. I washed out the bikini at the destination, which removed a potential stain, but it still smelled of strawberry yoghurt for days.

I am not saying that a plastic cup is better than a proper, solid, capped container, nor even that it is just as good. I am saying it is better than nothing, when you are looking around and wondering, how do I protect papers and clothes from this potential spill?

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer. Please share your favourite posts.

Cheap T Shirts for making matching outfits

t shirts for only a pound in a variety of colours? Just what I need.  I have been through my wardrobe. I have shorts in patterns and t-shirt with slogans and pictures and they clash. I need plain colour shorts and plain colour t-shirts to make up sets to wear.

Otherwise I have loads of separates which don't match anything. But the family have banned me from buying more clothes because I am spending too much and the wardrobes are overflowing yet aI claim I never have anything to wear and to out looking bizarre with two many clashing patterns, or take hours to dress.

Yes, I know the problems with cheap tee-shirts. Wear it once and it's stained.  (Answer is to tie - dye it.) The seams split. The fit isn't right - too tight or too baggy or just not smart enough for the nice restaurant at lunch or supper.

Needs ironing if it's cotton. Cheap and nasty if it's synthetic, and the fabric won't match anything else.

I still feel I must look at the website. What do I find. Most of those lovely colours, the emerald green and bright orange are only for children. Ladies long sleeves are black, or white, OK, that goes with a lot of things. Ladies are also in pink and yellow. But what If I want long sleeves to guard against mosquito bites and dengue fever? I can wear a jacket or blouse on top of a short sleeve tee. To get navy I would have to buy a men's size. Best to go into a shop to see the sizes and colours and fabric. Good for a gift for a meeting, Xmas, or summer picnic or barbecue, sports day or running club or give or lend to a friend for jogging together.

http://www.poundshop.com/fashion/clothing?p=2&utm_campaign=HFPS-TS-26-03-16&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Newsletter

Sewing an outfit
If you want matching shorts, at that price you can afford to buy two pairs and cut shorts. Or use the second pair to make a wide strip into a wrap around skirt to wear over bikini bottoms or shorts which don't match but provide a flash of contrasting colour. You could even buy three to make matching shorts, t shirt and long sleeve shirt or jacket. Use a spare strip to add a scarf or attach it as a mock scarf. Make a belt to match from strips seemed and turn inside out. Sew both narrow end edges straight or in a v-shape.

Pocket using No sew Velcro
To make a safety pocket for your keys, travel card or credit card or phone, use a strip on the inside for a pocket. To fasten sew a loop and a button. Or a slit edged with blanked stitch and a button which matches or contrasts. Or iron on or sew on a piece of velcro (stick and loop tape).

If you can't get to Poundland for summer offers, also look at Primark. Primark has white crew short sleeve t-shirts for ladies from £3. Stores are in UK, Wales, Ireland, the USA and Europe.
See
primark.com

Angela Lansbury, travel writer

Five ways to travel light

Everybody has a different way of travelling light. Here are some choices:

1 Business Traveller (male)
Wear one smart suit to travel in business class. Get them to hang up your jacket. In business class sleep in the onesie provided (Or in track suit or silk long johns and silk t-shirt hidden under blankets).
Keep gym kit in travelling bag and one white tee-shirt and jeans for time off to blend in with locals.

2 Business Traveller (female)
'Spinner' (four wheel) suitcase carry on bag like the airline staff - Samsonite or similar. Put travel outfit into laundry evening of arrival and claim on expenses the extra cost for overnight next day laundry service.

Co-ordinate clothes outfits. Colour scheme black skirt, black trousers, white blouse, red scarf and jewellery for evening. Blouse with detachable collar and cuffs, which can be washed in any toilet washbasin and dried or half dried under hand drier or using hotel bedroom hair drier. Wear two pairs of underclothes on trip, silk or thong panties and second larger pair. Reversible dress and reversible jacket, plain black for day, colour for evening or vice versa.

Wear two silk tops, one as tank top, another three quarter length sleeves, to keep warm in warm destination and dress in layers to discard into carry bag on arriving at hot destination (and vice versa on return). Bikini doubles as underwear. Jump straight into shower in bedroom or gym on arrival for two minutes and be dressed for dinner while most people are still in the queue to check in.

3 Student
Wear new t-shirt from London. Wash and press on arrival and offer to give it to your hostess or donate to charity.

Buy t-shirt to wear home. Wash and press your worn once garment to give to family member or flatmate on return. Or donate to charity or keep in stock for next trip to same continent.

Alternatively, have on smart dress which you wear when travelling. Hang it up in the shower to remove creases on arrival.

Roll up clothes in a soft sided bag. Or use a backpack (ideally one which coverts to wheels).

4 Practical Lady
Pack one outfit for each day with one set of co-ordinating jewellery which you wear all the time. Wear a dress, to save decisions, with a matching bolero.

Alternatively, one black jacket to match all outfits, so each outfit must have black in the pattern, or black and white, or plain black. Alternatively to match the black jacket, you have black accessories, necklace, bracelet, belt, shoes, bag, eye liner, hat or cap or headband.

Put each outfit back in your suitcase at the end of each day. On the last day, no packing is needed, because it's already done. When you reach home, put all the clothes from your suitcase straight in the washing machine, no sorting needed, because each outfit has been worn once.

5 Jungle traveller
Pack light but duplicate every item including camera and phone backing each one to the other camera/phone. Sleep with one bag under you as pillow, the other with strap around your ankle. If one bag is stolen you still have everything you need in the other.

Specialist travel firms can supply trousers which zip off to make shorts, jackets with zip of sleeves, reversible raincoats, hats with removable brims, roll up packable reversible sunhats.

You can also buy reversible belts, rings, bracelets and pendants. Long necklaces and those with magnetic catches can be doubled over to make bracelets to match different outfits or create a new effect for variety for pleasing yourself or your fellow travellers.

Packing
Socks go inside shoes in order to save space. This also speeds dressing. Most important, it ensure you don't end up with shoes and no socks, or no matching socks - red sandals with yellow airline socks. If you are short of socks, most long-haul flights give you a pair free. Another member of your family or travel group might donate their socks to you. When packing check the current colour of airline socks. Singapore Airlines used to give you plum socks.

I went away wearing burgundy sandals. When the purple socks I'd worn on the journey were washed and still wet, I looked for my latest free socks. I then found the socks I was hoping to add to my week's collection were yellow.

If you can't reduce the number of clothes, watch the videos on you tube which show you how to pack items flat, alternating directions.

ANGELA Lansbury, B A Hons, travel writer and photographer, speaker.